LGBT Law Program Draws 200

Chicago-Kent College of Law's first LGBT civil rights conference drew a larger-than-expected attendance of 200 people Saturday, the Chicago Tribune reports.

"We thought maybe we'd have a panel or two, not much more," William Lopez, copresident of the law school's LGBT student organization, told the Tribune.

The daylong series of programs dealt with issues such as the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" and the legal and medical challenges facing transgender people in Chicago. Many of those attending were lawyers.

Workers' compensation attorney James Nawrocki said the attendance by lawyers indicates a growing openness to addressing the concerns of LGBT people. "People don't have to live in the shadows anymore when it comes to their sexuality," he said.